UK & World News

Train Announcer Warns Of 'Gypsies And Thieves'

An investigation has been launched after a train announcer told passengers to "be aware of pickpockets and Gypsies" before disembarking at a station.

London Midland said it was looking into the warning, which was made over the train's speaker system as it pulled into Telford Central in Telford, Shropshire.

Recorded by a passenger on his mobile phone, the announcement was met with loud cheers and laughter from people travelling on the train, including a number of fans of football club Wolverhampton Wanderers, last Saturday.

As the train pulls up at the station in Shropshire the announcement can be heard over the train's public address system: "Telford Central - please be aware of pickpockets and Gypsies".

London Midland said they had not received any complaints about the incident on the 17.25 Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury service, but that an inquiry was under way.

"We are deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the announcement," a spokeswoman said.

"We do not tolerate comments of this nature being made by anyone on a London Midland train, and a full internal investigation is being carried out."